Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max review
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is an incremental update to last year's model, with notable improvements in its display, camera features, and performance. The phone boasts a larger 6.9-inch LTPO OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, protected by third-generation ceramic shield glass. While the design has remained largely unchanged, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly taller and heavier. The camera setup is similar to last year's model, but now includes an ultra-wide camera with a 48-megapixel sensor. A new hardware shutter key allows for more intuitive control over the cameras, although its implementation can feel less precise than traditional touchscreen navigation. In terms of performance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max benefits from a better chipset and improved battery life. Video recording capabilities have also been upgraded, including the ability to shoot in 4K slow-motion at 120 FPS with the main camera. While the camera quality has not significantly changed, the phone's ability to take great photos in various lighting conditions remains one of its strengths. The ultra-wide camera allows for macro close-up shots and is capable of producing detailed images with minimal noise. For those who already own last year's model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max may not be worth upgrading to, as the changes are incremental rather than revolutionary. However, for those in the market for a new flagship phone, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers an excellent all-around package, making it a great option to consider.
Build Quality and Design
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts an almost identical design to its predecessor, with the same flat titanium frame, matte finish, and IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The build quality is premium, as expected from a flagship device of this caliber. The phone's dimensions are slightly taller and heavier than last year's model, but the differences are negligible. The display on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a notable upgrade, with a larger 6.9-inch LTPO OLED screen that provides an immersive viewing experience. However, in terms of design, it's business as usual for Apple. The phone's overall aesthetic remains unchanged, with the same sleek and polished look that fans have come to expect from the brand. One new feature worth mentioning is the camera control key, which allows users to start the camera app, adjust settings, and take photos or videos using a dedicated hardware shutter button. While this may be seen as a welcome addition for some, it's hard not to feel that Apple is trying to solve a problem that wasn't really there in the first place. In terms of build quality, the iPhone 16 Pro Max feels solid and well-made, with a reassuring weight and texture to it. The materials used are premium, and the attention to detail is evident throughout. However, for those who were hoping for a more substantial redesign or innovation in this area, they may be disappointed. Overall, while the design of the iPhone 16 Pro Max may not have changed significantly from its predecessor, it's still a great-looking device that exudes quality and craftsmanship. If you're already familiar with Apple's aesthetic, you'll likely feel right at home with the latest Pro Max model.
Battery Life
The iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts impressive battery life, with a larger capacity than its predecessor at 4,685mAh. In our testing, the device delivered an outstanding active use score of 17 hours and 18 minutes, making it one of the best in the business. Compared to last year's model, the new Pro Max offers improved battery performance, particularly in call and web browsing tests. While the charging speeds remain similar, with a maximum output of around 30W and a double Light press on the camera control key opening up options for various modes, it's clear that Apple has made efforts to optimize power consumption. What's more, the device's new chipset is said to offer improved efficiency, which in turn should lead to longer battery life. However, it's worth noting that the exact extent of this improvement will depend on individual usage patterns and habits. While the battery life gains may not be staggering, they are certainly welcome, especially for users who rely heavily on their device throughout the day. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers respectable battery life, making it a solid choice for those seeking a dependable flagship experience.
Display
The iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a stunning display that sets the standard for smartphones. The 6.9-inch LTPO OLED screen is protected by third-generation ceramic shield glass and features a 120Hz refresh rate, making it the largest display ever on an iPhone. This increase in size makes it even more immersive when watching content, with true tone delivering consistent-looking colors across different situations. The display also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision 2, ensuring vibrant visuals and deep blacks. In terms of brightness, the screen is remarkably vivid, making it perfect for indoor use, while the high refresh rate ensures seamless motion rendering. However, the outdoor visibility could be improved with a more aggressive brightness boost, which might be a minor drawback. The display's color accuracy and gamut coverage are top-notch, rivaling those of dedicated photo editing monitors. The color palette is well-balanced, with no over-saturation or under-representation of colors. Even when viewing images at their native resolution, the display showcases remarkable detail, making it an ideal device for photography enthusiasts. One notable aspect of the iPhone 16 Pro Max's display is its use of a new LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) material, which helps to reduce power consumption. This results in an efficient and long-lasting battery life, despite the increased display size. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's display is a masterclass in smartphone screen design, offering unparalleled color accuracy, high refresh rates, and a stunning visual experience.
Camera
The camera setup on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is largely unchanged from its predecessor, with a 4,48MP main camera and a 12MP telephoto lens with five times optical zoom. However, there are some notable updates to the Ultra Wide camera, which now boasts a 48MP sensor. One of the standout features of the iPhone 16 Pro Max's camera system is the new Camera Control key. Located on the right-hand side of the phone, this hardware shutter button allows for more intuitive and precise control over your photography experience. With the Camera Control key, you can start the camera app, adjust settings, take photos, or record video without having to interact with the touchscreen. In terms of image quality, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's main camera produces excellent results, with plenty of sharpness and detail. However, it may not be the most vibrant or enthusiastic in its color rendition, instead opting for a more natural look that is true to life. Shots of people have a reasonably lively presentation of skin tones, while two times digital zoom provides plenty of detail without sacrificing image quality. At night, the main camera captures excellent photos with good exposure, well-developed shadows, and generally well-preserved highlights. There's plenty of detail and colors are pleasant. The telephoto lens with five times optical zoom produces great results too, with plenty of detail and a nice match to the main camera's output. However, it struggles with close focus, so if you're looking for that extra bit of intimacy in your photos, this might not be the best choice. One area where the iPhone 16 Pro Max excels is in its Ultra Wide camera capabilities. With its new 48MP sensor, it can produce some truly impressive macro shots, thanks to its autofocus feature. While there may be some limitations in exposure and sharpness, especially in more difficult lighting conditions, this camera mode is a great way to capture unique perspectives and details that would be lost with the main or telephoto lenses. Video recording capabilities have also improved on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with upgraded microphones and the ability to shoot in 4K slow-motion at 120 FPS. Video footage taken during the day is excellent from all three cameras, with very good detail rendered in a reasonably conservative fashion. However, there are some limitations when shooting in low light conditions, where internal reflections can show up as bright dots. Overall, while the camera system on the iPhone 16 Pro Max may not offer anything revolutionary new, it does provide a solid and reliable experience that is suitable for most users' needs.
Price and Value
Priced at a premium, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an impressive flagship that boasts top-of-the-line features. With a price tag that's sure to leave a dent in your wallet, it's natural to wonder if this phone is worth the investment. Starting at $1,499 for the base 256GB model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max isn't exactly affordable. However, considering its impressive specs and the fact that you're getting a top-of-the-line smartphone with unparalleled performance, it's hard to argue with Apple's pricing strategy. So, is the iPhone 16 Pro Max worth the hefty price tag? If you're in the market for an upgrade from your previous iPhone or are looking for a premium device that delivers exceptional performance and camera quality, then yes, it's definitely worth considering. The upgraded battery life, improved chipset, and added features like the camera shutter key make this phone a solid investment. However, if you already have the 15 Pro Max or are looking for an alternative to Apple's flagship, there might not be enough reason to upgrade. In that case, the price tag might seem too steep, especially considering the incremental improvements over last year's model. In conclusion, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a solid investment for those looking for an exceptional flagship experience. While it may not be perfect, its impressive specs and feature set make it worth considering if you're willing to shell out the premium price tag.
Performance
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by Apple's latest smartphone chip, the A18 Pro. This new chipset aims to provide both increased power and improved efficiency compared to its predecessor, the A17 Pro found in last year's iPhone Pro models. In benchmarks, the iPhone 16 Pro Max scored around 15% higher than the previous model in CPU tests, with a 20% difference observed in graphics tests. While this may not represent a drastic improvement, it is still an upgrade that ensures seamless performance and efficient battery life. The A18 Pro also brings improved efficiency to various aspects of iPhone usage, including gaming and video streaming. This means users can enjoy more demanding applications without experiencing any noticeable lag or slowdowns. Moreover, the chipset's enhanced power management capabilities help extend battery life. With this new technology, users can expect longer runtime between charges, allowing for extended periods of uninterrupted use. While the performance gains may not be spectacular, they do contribute to a more refined and responsive user experience. The A18 Pro ensures that even the most resource-intensive tasks are handled smoothly, making it an ideal choice for those who rely on their iPhone for demanding activities like gaming or video editing. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's performance is solid and reliable, with noticeable improvements in certain areas. While not groundbreaking, these advancements still make a significant difference in everyday usage, ensuring that users can enjoy their device without any major hiccups or concerns about performance.
Pros
1. The phone has a larger screen, measuring 6.9 inches with an LTPO OLED display
2. The new A18 Pro chipset provides improved performance and power efficiency
3. The camera control key is a hardware shutter key that allows for precise control over the cameras
4. Battery life has been slightly improved compared to the previous model
5. You can record slow-mo video in 4k at 120 FPS with the main cam
6. The phone's camera produces excellent photos, especially in good lighting conditions
7. Video footage is also impressive, with great detail and minimal noise
8. The selfie camera takes excellent photos, with good detail and exposure
Cons
1. The design of the phone has not changed much compared to the previous model
2. Some users may find the camera control key to be a gimmick rather than a useful feature
3. Close-up shots taken with the telephoto lens are not possible, which can be frustrating for some users
4. Noise in photos and videos taken at night is still an issue with this phone
5. The ultra-wide camera has lower sharpness compared to the main cam
6. Internal reflections from light sources pointing into the phone show up as bright dots in videos